Chapter 1

22 2 1
                                    

   I pulled at the loose thread on my bag as I prepared to sit through a lecture I had heard three times today already. The bell rang over the speakers and the door to the classroom snapped shut. "Hello class, I'm Mr. Gregory and welcome to Biology 1." Mr. Gregory was an old bald man who looked like he'd had enough of teenage bullshit to last him a life time. "Now if you will please take out your notes and write down the class room rules which are written on the whiteboard in the back of the room." In an instant everyone turned to face the back wall.
   I took out a pen and paper and as I began to write the rules the door squeaked open and all at once the class turned to look. A boy with thinning hair that stood on ends in the back walked in, he was followed by a boy with curly brown hair who couldn't seem to help but smile. "Gosh Mr.G you really need to tell someone about that door." The boy with the thinning hair snickered. "Hello Michael. I'm glad you finally decided to join us, and I see you've also brought Mr. Irwin." Mr. Gregory spoke through clinched teeth but the corners of his mouth were turned up into a smile.
   "What's happening Mr.G" The boy with curly brown hair laughed as he followed the other boy down the rows of desks. They continued down the rows until they came to the desks beside me. I rolled my eyes. They seemed like trouble. I tightened my grip on my pen and began to write the rules again.
   The class droned on with the occasional giggle and whisper of a rude joke from the two boys to my left. "Well class, before we leave, I'd like for us to go around the room and say your name and one thing about yourself. We'll start in this row." He said pointing to the row closest to the left wall. One thing about myself? What was there to me? 'Hey I'm Emma and I'm nobody' maybe he'd take that.
   He went down each row and everyone had something, 'I can draw', 'I'm in choir', that sort of thing. He came to the curly haired boy and he said, "Hi I'm Ashton and I like banana milkshakes." The boy, who I now knew was Ashton, giggled to himself. "Hi my names Michael and I'm punk rock." Said the next boy. Mr. Gregory rolled his eyes and moved onto my row.
   Finally he came to me and I felt my lips press together. I couldn't think of a word to say. "Um... Hi I'm Emma and.." Just then the dismissal bell rang out and ever student stood and bolted for the door. I hung back for a second, gathering my things. Besides the halls were too crowded for my liking at the moment and I didn't feel like fighting through people. After the class had cleared I finally made my way out and down the hall.

   I found my way to the front of the school and to my delight most of the student had already left. I waded through the crowd of kids that were left and found my way to one of the old, faded, orange benches. I sat my bag under my feet and took out my phone, figuring it was the best way to pass the time before my mom came and picked me up.
   "Dude did you really say you're punk rock?" Someone beside me laughed. "Yeah you should've seen Gregory he must have wanted to punch me." It was Michael now. "Hate to break it to you michael but you're not punk rock, you're a punk flop if anything." Said someone else. "Oh shut up cal." Michael shot back, but there was still a hint of laughter in his voice. I shoved my headphones in and began to listen to the planets by Gustav holst, it's one of my favorite suites.
   I placed my phone on my thighs and watched as cars came and went, as each person got in to leave. I knew my mom would be a little late. She always is.

   After 32 minutes of waited my mother's bright blue van pulled up to the curb. I pulled my headphones out of my ears and slid into the passengers seat, slamming the door behind me. "Sorry I was late, I went to get some new books and lost track of time." As the words came out I nodded. She had always made excuses and at this point I didn't care. "But how was school?" She grinned and the wrinkles around her eyes became even deeper.
   "Good." I said, returning the smile. "That's good Hun! Maybe we should celebrate with cake or something later? Maybe your favorite food for dinner?" I nodded again as she said this. My mom was a weird lady and I'd learned that agreeing with her was best. As she pulled out of the school parking lot I turned to look at her, I always admired my mother. Her thick curly brown hair, her high cheek bones, her perfect smile.
   I'd always wished I looked more like her. Then again, I wouldn't be the person I am if I did and I like the person I am. I think. My mom whipped around every curve on the back roads we took home, she always did this. I'd never road on a roller coaster but I'm positive that if I did it wouldn't have been as scary as it was riding with my mother.
   Eventually we pulled into the driveway of the small two story house my mother and I shared. I sighed in relief as she cut the car off and I pushed out of the seat and strolled inside. The house smelled of herbs and earth, the way my mother liked it and I must say after years of living with her it's grown on me. "Mom?" I said as the door clicked shut behind me. "Yes Jupiter?" She replied in her sweet mellow tone. I cringed at the use of my real name.
   I turned to face her. She wore a purple gown that hung to her bare feet and her arms were decorated in wooden bracelets and tattoos. "What were you like in high school?" I looked into her sparkling green eyes and her wrinkles again became more apparent as her sweet smile crept across her face. "Well I wasn't what you'd expect that's for sure." She laughed but I could hear in her voice she didn't feel like explaining. I nodded and slipped out of the living room into the long hallway that led to my room.
   Throwing my bag down, I flopped onto the bed. For some god awful reason just as my body hit the mattress my head began to throb. I pressed my hands against my face and rolled over. In a matter of moments I fell into a deep and dreamless sleep.



Authors note: I apologize that this chapter is boring and uneventful. I'm trying to make a decent build up and I'm also in the middle of trying to develop my writing skills a bit more. Just don't judge me too harshly for this chapter. I hope you enjoy my story.

Teenage memories // 5sos Where stories live. Discover now